“You were always kind—and wise.” Her mouth quivering, she gave him both hands. “’Twould have made for my good had I listened to you more.”
For him it was a perilous moment. The touch of her hands aroused an intense desire to seize and comfort her with kisses. Had he given way to it she would have surely been shocked out of the resolution that had been born of her anger and shame. But the habit of years enabled him to keep the impulse under restraint. She went quietly to the end.
“I am very grateful—I would like to make some return. If we had not grown up together I should no doubt have loved you from the beginning in the way you wished, for you are closer to the man of my girlish dreams than any other I have ever known.” She smiled wanly. “He does not exist, my dream man, or, if he did, what use could he have for such a wild, naughty girl as I? So, if you still want me—”
“Want you!” He would have drawn her to him, but she pulled back.
“Not yet! I like you, have always loved you—in a sisterly way. I must have time to change my viewpoint. Give me a month?”
“And then—”
“If you still wish it I will be your wife.”